the Sugar Conspiracy

Monday, August 09, 2004

Always low wages, always.

From CBS News:

A recent University of California, Berkeley study found that the fast growing retailer takes more from communities than it gives.

"Because of the low wages and because people do not have health insurance through their employer, people rely on public support to make ends meet," says the school's Ken Jacobs.

Estimates are the result is a tab to California taxpayers of $82-million a year for health care, food stamps, and other social services.

And what does Wal-Mart say in its defense?

The big store fires back that it pays far more in taxes and hires out-of-the-mainstream workers - seniors, students, immigrants, part-timers, says Whitaker.

That's interesting, because those "out-of-the-mainstream workers" are just the kinds of workers who will work for lower wages and often won't receive benefits. Don't think that's quite the point Wal-Mart was trying to make.

posted by chris at 1:03 PM
------------------

Blog - Info - Archive - Contact - Links
2005 © Designed by Chris. Take what you want.